Saturday has traditionally been the big day for weddings.
And there’s a reason for it. Most guests aren’t working the next morning, there’s plenty of time to get ready, and nobody has to explain to their boss why they’re suddenly feeling a little “under the weather” on Monday.
But Saturday isn’t your only option.
Friday and Sunday weddings have become increasingly popular, and depending on your priorities, one of them might actually be a better fit for your celebration.
At Abbington Distinctive Banquets, we’ve hosted weddings on every day of the week since 2002. The truth is that there isn’t one universally “best” day to get married. There’s a best day for your wedding.
Let’s look at the advantages and considerations of Friday, Saturday and Sunday weddings to help you decide.
Why Are Saturday Weddings So Popular?
Let’s start with the classic.
Saturday is still the first day many couples picture when they imagine their wedding. Guests generally have the day off, they can arrive without rushing from work, and most have Sunday available to recover or travel home.
That convenience is hard to beat.
Saturday also works especially well for weddings with a large number of out-of-town guests. People can travel on Friday, attend the wedding Saturday and return home Sunday without necessarily taking multiple days away from work.
If you’re planning a late-night celebration with a packed dance floor, Saturday certainly has its advantages too.
Nobody has to watch the clock quite as closely.
The Biggest Challenge With Saturday Weddings: Everyone Wants Saturday
The same things that make Saturdays convenient also make them popular.
Prime Saturday dates can be among the first dates booked at popular Chicago-area wedding venues, particularly during the busiest wedding seasons.
If you’ve fallen in love with a specific venue but only have a handful of Saturdays that work, you may need to reserve your date well in advance.
This is especially important if you’re planning your wedding around a particular month, holiday weekend, meaningful anniversary or the availability of another important vendor.
If the venue matters more to you than the day of the week, being open to Friday or Sunday can suddenly give you considerably more flexibility.
Why Consider a Friday Wedding?
Friday weddings deserve more attention than they get.
There’s something about finishing the workweek and immediately heading into a wedding that makes the celebration feel like the official start of the weekend.
And for the couple, choosing Friday can open up wedding dates that might not be available on Saturday.
Friday can be particularly appealing if you have your heart set on a specific season or date range. Instead of competing for a small number of Saturdays, you instantly have another set of possibilities.
Depending on the venue, season and package, Friday weddings may also offer different pricing or package opportunities. It’s always worth asking when you compare wedding options.
Friday Gives You the Entire Weekend After the Wedding
This might be our favorite argument for Friday.
You get married Friday night.
Then you wake up Saturday morning and realize…
It’s still the weekend.
For couples with lots of friends and family coming into Chicago, that can be fantastic.
Saturday can become a relaxed brunch, a family gathering, a trip into the city or simply a chance to spend more time with people you don’t get to see very often.
Instead of everyone immediately packing their bags and heading home the morning after your wedding, you have another full day together.
The Trade-Off With a Friday Wedding
The obvious consideration is work.
Your wedding party and some guests may need to take Friday afternoon — or the entire day — off, especially if they need time to get ready or travel.
That’s why communication matters.
If you’re planning a Friday wedding, send your save-the-dates early and make the day of the week obvious. Give guests enough notice to request time off, make travel arrangements and reserve a hotel if necessary.
The more advance notice you provide, the easier Friday becomes.
Why Consider a Sunday Wedding?
Sunday offers many of the same advantages as Friday: greater date flexibility and the possibility of different package or pricing options depending on the venue and season.
But Sunday has its own personality.
A Sunday wedding can be elegant, relaxed and incredibly enjoyable. It can work beautifully for an afternoon ceremony followed by dinner and dancing, or for couples who simply don’t need the reception to continue until the very last possible minute.
Guests traveling from nearby Chicago suburbs can often attend without changing their entire weekend schedule, while out-of-town guests can arrive Friday or Saturday and make a weekend of the celebration.
Sunday Weddings Can Be Great for Families
If your guest list includes lots of families, older relatives or guests who aren’t necessarily looking for a 1:00 a.m. dance-floor finale, Sunday can be an excellent fit.
You can still have cocktails, dinner, music and plenty of dancing.
You simply have the option of starting earlier.
An earlier celebration can also make the day easier for grandparents, parents with young children and guests traveling home that evening.
And there’s something undeniably nice about a Sunday afternoon filled with great food, champagne and everyone you love.
But What About Work on Monday?
That’s the big Sunday question.
Some guests may leave a little earlier knowing Monday morning is waiting for them.
That doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker.
Consider moving the entire timeline earlier rather than planning a traditional Saturday-night schedule on a Sunday. Starting your ceremony, cocktail hour and reception earlier allows guests to enjoy the full celebration without feeling like they’re making a terrible decision every time they look at the clock.
Of course, some groups couldn’t care less that Monday exists.
You know your crowd better than we do.
What About a Holiday Weekend?
Holiday weekends can change the equation entirely.
A Sunday wedding before a Monday holiday can function a lot like a Saturday wedding. Guests may have the following day off, which can make Sunday an extremely attractive option.
But holiday weekends come with their own considerations.
Flights and hotels may be more expensive. Roads and airports can be busier. Some guests may have longstanding family traditions or vacation plans.
If you’re considering Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend or another major holiday, check travel and hotel logistics before committing.
Abbington’s Glen Ellyn location offers convenient access to Chicago’s western suburbs, major highways and nearby accommodations. Our location information can help you begin thinking through travel for your guests.
Think About Your Out-of-Town Guests
The best wedding day isn’t only about your schedule.
Think about where your guests are coming from.
If most of your guest list lives in Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Downers Grove, Wheaton, Lombard or surrounding western suburbs, Friday and Sunday may be relatively easy options.
If a significant percentage is flying into Chicago, you’ll want to think more carefully about arrival and departure times.
Abbington is accessible from both O’Hare and Midway, with nearby hotel options that make it possible for guests to stay close to the celebration rather than traveling back into downtown Chicago after the reception.
For a large wedding with many traveling guests, hotel blocks and transportation can be just as important as choosing the day itself.
Your Vendors Matter Too
There’s another potential benefit to choosing Friday or Sunday that couples don’t always consider: vendor availability.
Your favorite photographer, videographer, florist, band or DJ may already be booked on popular Saturdays.
Ask about Friday or Sunday and suddenly the conversation may change.
This can be particularly helpful if there’s a wedding professional you absolutely want to work with.
Abbington has longstanding relationships with preferred wedding vendors throughout Chicago and the western suburbs, and many of them know our ballrooms, team and event procedures extremely well.
Don’t Pick a Date Before Checking Your Most Important People
Before signing a contract, think about the handful of people who absolutely need to be there.
Parents. Siblings. Grandparents. Best friends. Members of the wedding party.
You don’t need to survey all 250 people on your preliminary guest list. In fact, please don’t. You’ll never choose a date.
But checking with your essential people can prevent an unfortunate surprise after you’ve committed.
Then pick the date that works for you and start planning.
Friday, Saturday or Sunday: A Quick Comparison
Choose Friday if…
- You want more flexibility when selecting your wedding date.
- You love the idea of having the entire weekend after your wedding.
- Most guests can reasonably take some time away from work.
- You want to explore different package or pricing possibilities.
- You have a specific venue or vendor that’s unavailable on Saturday.
Choose Saturday if…
- Guest convenience is your biggest priority.
- You have many out-of-town guests.
- You want a late-night celebration without guests worrying about work the next morning.
- Your preferred Saturday date is available.
- You don’t mind planning farther ahead to secure a popular date.
Choose Sunday if…
- You prefer an earlier or slightly more relaxed celebration.
- You want more flexibility with dates and vendors.
- Many of your guests live locally.
- You’re considering a holiday weekend.
- You want to explore alternatives to peak Saturday availability.
There Is No Wrong Day for a Great Wedding
We’ve hosted enough weddings since 2002 to know that nobody walks onto the dance floor thinking, “This would be so much more fun if today were Saturday.”
Once the people you love are in the room, dinner is being served, the music starts and the celebration is underway, the day printed on the calendar becomes considerably less important.
What matters is choosing a date that works for your priorities, your most important guests and the wedding you actually want to have.
Find Your Perfect Wedding Date at Abbington
If you’re searching for a wedding venue in the Chicago area or western suburbs, don’t limit your venue search to Saturday nights before you’ve explored all of your options.
Friday might give you the weekend you’ve always wanted. Sunday might be the perfect fit for your family. Saturday might still be exactly right.
At Abbington Distinctive Banquets, our experienced in-house wedding planning team can help you compare available dates, ballroom options, guest counts and wedding packages to find the combination that works for your celebration.
The best day to get married isn’t necessarily Saturday. It’s the day that lets you have the wedding you want.
Contact Abbington today to schedule a tour, check available wedding dates and start planning your Abbington moment.
